Back to the Future? Caldeira's Fortified Enclaves and the Consequences for Contemporary Developing Cities

Abstract

Urban enclaves, who could be argued as a re-emerging process of intricate socio-spatial dynamics in emerging countries are becoming physically evident. Across spaces and regions, the middle and upper class are retreating to private and enclosed spaces. Urban areas are increasingly becoming divided and separated; illustrated in new spatial patterns and forms. It is against this background that the paper through a desk study builds on the classic work of Teresa Caldeira on fortified enclaves in Sao Paolo by positioning her work in scholarly literature and also highlighting its characteristics and consequences to planning and policy in developing cities in contemporary times. The Study identified the phenomenon of enclaves and gating as pervasive in physical and social forms with a quaking effect of removing urban diversity and public life. The Study therefore proposes the need for socio-spatial conceptualization that aims at upholding diversity as a symbol of healthy urban society.